Learning & development
Your career, our journey together.
At Blick Rothenberg we are committed to maintaining a nurturing culture that is caring and protective of our people.
Whether you join as a school leaver, graduate or a partner, we provide opportunities to learn and grow through training, appraisals, coaching and mentoring, in an environment where partners, directors and managers engage with our people to motivate and inspire.
Check out what our team members have to say about their first 100 days at BR.
We are BR
Our people are key to our success.
We know what talent looks like and we set the bar high – our clients demand it and we are proud to deliver outstanding levels of service to meet their needs. This is why we invest heavily in nurturing our people. We support their success through on-going training and development, which in turn enables us to achieve the best possible results for our clients.
In order to help preserve this winning formula, to help pass it on to new joiners to the firm and to explain it to new clients, we have articulated our approach in the firm’s values. We strive to be authentic, collaborative, dynamic and respectful.
A Great Place to Work Group
To ensure Blick Rothenberg remains a great place to work, we contribute constructively to our management team’s decision making, improving two-way communication.
This group, which is made up of representatives from all departments, has been instrumental in helping create the key principles of our flexible hours of work policy, ensuring you have a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle. As well as introducing things like weekly fruit deliveries to all offices.
Our mantra is:
- To consult alongside the management team over significant workplace changes
- To ensure that important information is filtered down to colleagues within their departments
- To provide upward feedback to management on behalf of their colleagues
Flexible Working
We are proud to operate a flexible hours of work policy to give everyone the opportunity to find a better balance between their professional and personal lives and we have embraced technology, to allow hybrid working to operate seamlessly.
Whether this is to find time to go to the gym, deal with a matter at home, drop off or pick up children from school, or care for family members; we hope that everyone will find our flexible approach to working beneficial.
Future leaders programme
As an extension of our commitment to learning and development, each year we run a comprehensive future leaders development programme to equip senior managers with the necessary skills and behaviours to become our partners of the future.
Life at Blick Rothenberg
What's it like working at Blick Rothenberg? We've asked some of our team a few questions about their career journey with BR.
Ashton Middleway, Assistant Audit Manager
What inspired you to pursue a career in audit?
I have always been fascinated with the Chartered Accountant designation as it was held to a high esteem internationally. Growing up in South Africa I was especially proud of the fact that we held the number 1 spot for auditing and reporting by the WEF consecutively for a number of years. This along with my love for numbers, research, and my never ending pursuit for answers and solutions have inspired me to pursue a career in auditing.
Why did you choose to work at Blick Rothenberg?
Prior to working at BR, I did not know much about Blick Rothenberg, however based on my interviews and my own research I felt that it was the firm to make the transition from South Africa to the UK. I knew that I would feel welcome and a part of the team and not just a number in a sea of employees.
What is it like to work in the Audit team at Blick Rothenberg?
The audit team at Blick Rothenberg is fantastic. I feel supported by my peers, managers and partners on a personal and professional level. I feel like my voice and opinion matters and that I'm not just someone in the team that is allocated a set of work. We have a very open culture. Anyone can ask questions and share ideas without judgement.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in Audit?
Be open to the idea of constantly learning. Learning from your peers and clients, learning and gaining insight into how businesses are run and how their systems and processes work, developing and updating your technical and soft skills, etc. Training in audit gives you a range of experiences and skills that will help you throughout your career, whether you end up staying in audit or decide to enter the corporate world. Finally, contrary to popular belief, Auditing is not boring. With ever changing accounting and auditing standards, working with different engagement teams and with different clients and in different industries, you can be assured that as an auditor you will always be developing and learning.
Kunal Patel, Senior Manager
What inspired you to pursue a career in audit?
Pursuing a career in audit was inspired by a combination of personal passion and family legacy. The desire to follow in my granddad's footsteps played a significant role in my choice of career, as I was deeply influenced by his dedication to striving for excellence.
The dynamic and challenging nature of audit work, coupled with the opportunity to work with clients across various industries is what energises me. I relish the technical challenges and the broader aspects of project management and mentoring others.
What truly excites me about a career in audit is the ever-evolving nature of the profession, especially with the expansion of artificial intelligence and the growing use of data analytics. These technological advancements are transforming the audit landscape, allowing auditors to uncover deeper insights, enhance accuracy, and provide more value to clients. The integration of AI and data analytics means that audit professionals can now handle larger data sets, identify patterns more effectively, and make more informed decisions.
Why did you choose to work at Blick Rothenberg?
I joined a firm named Hazlems Fenton in January 2017 as a graduate trainee. HF was subsequently acquired by Blick Rothenberg in November 2018. I have remained at the firm, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in January 2020, and receiving three promotions since 2022 with the most recent being to Senior Manager in July 2024.
I have remained at Blick Rothenberg principally due to its stellar reputation in the industry and its commitment to professional development. The firm's emphasis on a supportive and inclusive work culture, combined with its strong client-focused approach, resonated with my career aspirations. From day one, I’ve been provided with exceptional training and mentorship opportunities, allowing me to grow and excel in my role.
What is it like to work in the Audit team at Blick Rothenberg?
It is a lot more than just spreadsheets and numbers all day. From visiting clients near, far, and abroad to gaining a deep understanding of their business and the real-world challenges they face, no two days really are the same.
The team is composed of highly skilled and respectful people who are not only dedicated to delivering the highest standards of service to our clients but also to supporting each other's growth and success. The inclusive and innovative environment fosters continuous learning and development, making every assignment an opportunity to enhance our expertise and impact.
Regular team-building activities, social events, and informal gatherings provide opportunities to bond with colleagues, making work both professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in Audit?
My advice to anyone looking to start a career in audit is to expect commitment to continuous learning. The field of audit is dynamic and ever evolving, so it is crucial to stay updated on industry trends and regulations.
Building strong analytical and communication skills is essential, as you will need to interpret complex financial information and present your findings clearly to clients and colleagues. Embrace opportunities for mentorship and networking, as these relationships can provide invaluable guidance and open doors to new opportunities.
Finally, choose a firm that aligns with your values and offers a supportive environment for professional growth. At Blick Rothenberg, for instance, the collaborative partner-led approach ensures that you receive personalised training and development, allowing you to thrive in your career while contributing meaningfully to client success stories.
Sae Sandholt, Audit Manager
What inspired you to pursue a career in audit?
When I was about 15 years old I took a course in bookkeeping at school and from there I was convinced I wanted to work in accountancy. I was always interested in maths but not in science so up until then I was quite unsure how I could utilise my skills. A few years later I learned more about what was involved in audit and I knew I had found my place. What inspired me most about audit is that it offers such a variety in your day-to-day working life and the interactions you have with different people. The fact that you are continuously meeting new people, learning about their business and working with them sounded like a perfect fit for me.
Why did you choose to work at Blick Rothenberg?
When I joined Blick Rothenberg it was a small but growing quickly through acquisitions and I found it very interesting to be a part of that growth and the experiences that would come with that. I didn’t want to be working in an office that was of a bigger size as I wanted to feel a part of a team and not get lost in the mix but also not a smaller one as I thought that would limit the experiences and types of clients I would have the opportunity to work with.
What is it like to work in the Audit team at Blick Rothenberg?
Working in the audit team at Blick Rothenberg feels like working with a big family that constantly supports you. Despite us growing rapidly over the previous years, I think we have managed to keep that family feel culture where we are more than just coworkers. This has always been especially important to me as I don’t have any family in the UK, but the audit team at Blick Rothenberg has become my family here.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in Audit?
I would say the key is to do research and make sure you understand what you are signing up for. The first few years are tough, as you juggle work and study at the same time that can be difficult to do. Although it’s a challenging start, it’s incredibly rewarding in the long term, you will not regret it!
Jez Filley, Head of Audit
What inspired you to pursue a career in Audit?
I fell into audit somewhat by chance while I waited for an interview at the foreign office. What has kept me here for the last 28 years has been the opportunity to work with talented, challenging, intelligent and diverse people. I get bored easily and the variety of works means I never have. It’s often less of a numbers game and more of a people business. Both with our own team and our clients it is about problem solving and using the broad business experience that you gain to help others with their issues.
What does Audit mean for Blick Rothenberg?
It means working with our clients to understand their business. Translating this into tailored and constructive support. Meeting their ongoing compliance requirements while offering support for their systems, processes and helping them scan the horizon for future opportunities and challenges.
What trends are you excited to see develop in the Audit space?
We and our clients are increasingly technology enabled and this, along with broader ESG reporting, is starting to influence what an audit is and what assurance can be provided. I am sure that the pace of change will continue to increase leading to new ways of working, interacting and thinking.
What advice would you give someone looking to start a career in Audit?
Be a sponge. Soak up knowledge both technical and business. Get under the skin of your clients. Embrace opportunities that come up and challenge yourself.
What is the work culture like in the Audit team?
Collaborative. Inclusive. Challenging.
Why did you choose to apply to Blick Rothenberg?
We have a great team and great clients. I saw the opportunity to work with the team to help shape the journey as we continue to evolve and grow over the next 5 years.